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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
08:39
Shaping the Amplitude and Phase of Laser Beams by Using a Phase-only Spatial Light Modulator
Published on: January 28, 2019
Summary
Apertures in lasers increase fundamental mode volume, boosting output power. This study demonstrates this effect in a helium-neon laser using parasitic resonances, showing a threefold power increase.
Area of Science:
- Laser Physics
- Quantum Optics
Background:
- Intracavity apertures are used for laser mode selection.
- Apertures cause observable losses and increase fundamental mode volume.
- Increased mode volume is difficult to observe directly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the increase in fundamental mode volume in an apertured laser.
- To quantify the effect of mode volume enhancement on output power.
Main Methods:
- Utilized parasitic resonances characteristic of multi-cavity lasers.
- Employed a helium-neon (He-Ne) laser operating at 3.39 µm.
- Compared apertured and non-apertured laser configurations.
Main Results:
- Successfully demonstrated mode volume enhancement in the apertured laser.
- Observed a significant increase in output power.
- Achieved up to a threefold increase in output power compared to the non-apertured laser.
Conclusions:
- Intracavity apertures enhance fundamental mode volume.
- This enhancement leads to a substantial increase in laser output power.
- Parasitic resonances provide a viable method for observing mode volume changes.
